Who needs a cycling helmet, when you’ve got an airbag?

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Inventors who found that cyclists disliked wearing helmets because they spoilt
their hair have the answer: the cyclist’s airbag. Anna Haupt, one of the
Swedish designers of the device, said: “We went out asking people why they
didn’t use helmets. They were quite vain actually. They said they didn’t
want something that destroyed their hair. They wanted something discreet,
invisible if possible.”

She and Terese Alstin developed the Hövding
helmet, a collar that sits around a rider’s neck, with sensors that
detect movements indicating an imminent crash. It inflates in milliseconds.
They began creating the device seven years ago when helmets were made
compulsory for children in Sweden.

The device, which has been cleared by European safety standard regulators, is
now available to British customers through the company’s website and costs
€399 (£337). It has a rechargeable battery, is waterproof, and is put on
with a zip. It looks elegant, sitting on a person’s shoulders like a scarf.

Ms Haupt suggested that the gadget also provides more safety than traditional
helmets.

“The biggest advantage is the shock-absorbing capacity,” she said. “If you hit
something, it’s important that the helmet can absorb as much force as
possible so the brain doesn’t have to. Our airbag is very thick and absorbs
the hit in an accident more softly than conventional helmets with plastic
material.”

Designers have described it as a revolutionary device, while cycling
campaigners said it may persuade many people to begin wearing helmets on the
road and encourage others to start riding their bikes once more.

“It’s another option for people who want added security,” said Martin Key,
campaigns manager at British Cycling. “If it gets more people out riding,
then I’m for it.”

However Mr Key suggested that cyclists should not have to wear a helmet if
they preferred not to, emphasising that the pursuit is largely safe.

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The Hövding helmet is contained in a collar that sits around a rider’s neck, with sensors that detect movements indicating an imminent crash

2013-11-13 00:01:00.0 Hovding

The Hövding helmet is contained in a collar that sits around a rider’s neck, with sensors that detect movements indicating an imminent crash